Booking a Holiday Flight? How to Choose the Best Seat on a Plane

1For less bumping, sit over the wing

Verdict: a sensible bet, not a guarantee. An AAA travel article says the smoothest ride is over the wings, near the plane’s center of gravity, comparing it to the middle of a seesaw. It suggests rows near the over-wing exits, or a few rows in front of or behind them. It also notes that a window seat can make turbulence look more dramatic, so if you get motion sick, it suggests an aisle seat over the wing. The FAA’s turbulence page does not say any seat is smoother, and turbulence can come with little warning, so this is a reasonable choice and not a promise.

2Whatever seat you choose, keep the belt on

Verdict: this matters more than the row. The FAA says turbulence is normal and happens often, but it can be dangerous, and that passengers who are not belted can be thrown from their seats without warning. It advises keeping your seat belt buckled at all times. The NTSB’s study of 111 turbulence accidents from 2009 through 2018 found 123 serious injuries: 97 among flight attendants and 26 among passengers. Of the 26 injured passengers, 1 was wearing a seat belt, 17 were not and belt use was unknown or not reported for 8. Among the injured flight attendants, 81 of 97 were not belted. Of the passengers whose cabin section was known, 14 of 17 were in the aft section, and 8 of those 17 were in or near a lavatory. The NTSB does not say the back of the plane is bumpier, and our reading is that many of those people were up and moving. Stay buckled while seated, and think twice before walking the aisle in rough air.

3Think about the aircraft, not only the row

Verdict: a bigger plane usually helps. The AAA article says larger aircraft generally ride more smoothly than smaller regional jets, and that nonstop flights and morning departures may also reduce turbulence. Treat these as practical rules of thumb, not research findings. Route, weather and the day itself matter more. If you can choose between two itineraries, check the aircraft type before you decide on a seat, which is our practical advice.

4For quiet, stay away from engines, galleys and lavatories

Verdict: engines matter most, and we found no seat-by-seat ranking. A Boise State University-led study of noise on 200 flights found that cabin noise levels differed significantly by how close you sit to the engines, and between aircraft with fuselage-mounted and wing-mounted engines. It did not name the quietest rows. The practical takeaway is to look up where the engines sit on your aircraft type and choose a row farther from them. It is also our practical suggestion to skip rows next to the galley and lavatories, where there is more foot traffic and door noise. Noise-canceling headphones, like the ones in our travel tech essentials, help whichever row you land in.

5The exit row: more room, real responsibilities

Verdict: worth it for some people, not for everyone. The extra legroom is the draw, and the AAA article notes that exit rows typically cost extra. The trade-off is a job. Under federal rule 14 CFR 121.585, a person under 15, someone who lacks enough mobility, strength or dexterity in both arms, hands and legs, or someone who cannot read and understand the required instructions may not sit there. Exit-row passengers may be asked to operate the exit if no crew member is available. You can ask to be reseated, and the rule says the airline cannot require you to explain why. The airline still decides who is suited to the seat. American Airlines’ agency exit-seat page also says a passenger traveling with a pet in the cabin, or with responsibilities such as caring for small children, may not sit in an exit row. Layouts vary, so check your airline’s seat map for restrictions on things like recline and bag stowage.

6Window or aisle on a long flight?

Verdict: window for sleeping, aisle for moving. A study from Emory University and Georgia Tech, funded by Boeing and published in PNAS, tracked passenger movement on five cross-country round trips. About 80% of aisle passengers got up during the flight, compared with 62% in the middle and 43% by the window. The CDC says anyone traveling more than four hours can be at some risk for blood clots, though the risk is generally very small, and advises moving your legs often and walking around every one to two hours. The CDC page does not mention seat choice. Our reading is that the aisle makes getting up easy and the window means fewer interruptions. An aisle seat is a convenience and not a medical safeguard. Our travel fitness tips and travel wellness habits cover staying active on the road. If you have a health condition, ask your doctor.

7Flying with kids: book together and confirm early

Verdict: the holiday trap. The Department of Transportation’s tips for families say booking early makes it more likely you can reserve seats next to each other, and that adults and children should be on the same reservation. It says basic economy fares may not let you select a seat, and that you should confirm seat assignments before going to the airport because aircraft swaps can change them. It also says airlines give priority to parents and children on the same reservation when assigning seats. DOT’s family seating dashboard shows which airlines commit to fee-free adjacent seats for children, and it was last updated in September 2025, so check the airline’s own policy. This is DOT guidance and not a rule that every airline must seat families together. Children under 15 and passengers caring for small children may not sit in an exit row.

8If you have a mobility or medical need, ask for the seat that works

Verdict: ask the airline, early. DOT’s Air Carrier Access Act page says airlines may not keep anyone out of a specific seat on the basis of disability, except to meet safety requirements, and that new aircraft with 30 or more seats must have movable aisle armrests on half the aisle seats. It says airlines may not require advance notice that a person with a disability is traveling, but they may require up to 48 hours’ notice for certain accommodations. If you need extra room, an aisle seat or help boarding, contact the airline well ahead of a busy holiday flight. This is general information, not medical advice.

9Check your seat again, and think about your connection

Verdict: our practical tips. Airline seat maps and aircraft can change, so look at your seat assignment in the airline’s app a few days before you fly and again at check-in. If you have a tight connection, a seat near the front of the cabin often gets you off sooner, though not always, since deplaning varies by aircraft and gate. That is our practical logic and not something we have a source for. If you booked a cheap fare, our guide to hidden travel costs covers why sitting together can turn into a gate-side negotiation. Policies on seat selection and fees vary by airline and fare, so read yours.

• Bring what you need within reach. Keep your essentials in a bag you can reach at your seat. See our packing tips for what to keep in your carry-on.
• Have your documents ready. Our international travel checklist covers passports and bookings.
• Listen to the briefing. The FAA says to pay attention to the safety briefing at the start of your flight and read the briefing card.